It’s Okay to be You
Simple things we see everyday
I’m no physician and neither do I want to be. But I do want to listen to the latest research about mindfulness and the effect this has on the body. In particular the positive scientific effects that the practice of photography in a mindful way has on our physical being.
Some of us are loners - including some creative people. There may be reasons for that from the past, but my point is that it's okay to be one. I’ve been accused of being that at times - as if it’s some kind of disease. I’ve even been accused of “having issues.”
We all have issues, if the truth be known.
And the way that some of us distract from those issues is clearly by making a noise to drown out their own. It’s an old trick and one that works, if we are to look at celebrities like Donald Trump. They have worked the system and gained advantage by the pointed finger. And as an old aunt of mine (who belonged to the Women’s Temperance Movement) said, “when you point the finger, remember the others are pointing back at yourself.”
I adore people who are not perfect and admit to it. Humanity is a treasure; and I normally can tell quite easily if a person has been broken by life - and whether the fragrance of imperfection is something they have acquired in their journey by being imperfect.
What on earth has this got to do with photography?
Photography and self-therapy go hand-in-hand. And here I am not writing about all forms of photography but about mindful photography. It's a difficult concept to define, let me do it by illustration. When I am out in nature with my camera, I seem to lose time, it seems to disappear. But I lose something even better, I lose myself, I forget who I am and am lost in the moment.
You were wonderfully made - and you are okay
I was walking along a pathway with my wife the other day, and stopped to take an image of a protea flower. She walked on slowly, very slowly. When I looked up she was already a kilometre away. And I felt different, I felt as if I was in a different world with a single flower. I felt relaxed and my mind was refreshed. Nature had worked its magic.
So these are the physical improvements you can expect when you partake in mindful photography. These, by the way, are backed by scientific research (see references below).
Reduction in stress and cortisol levels: Mography helps reduce stress and promotes relaxation.
Improved immune function: It lowers inflammation and boosts immune response.
Enhanced neuroplasticity: It stimulates brain health and cognitive function.
Lowered heart rate and blood pressure: It improves cardiovascular health.
Increased serotonin and dopamine: It elevates mood and emotional well-being.
You may feel inferior but it’s not true.
Be yourself but also engage in activities that are designed to improve your mental and physical health. We can help with this at PhotoCoach, we understand creativity and the things that creative people need.
See you soon
Charles the Light Coach
Title: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Cortisol Levels in Stress Responses
Author: Richard J. Davidson, et al.
Date: 2013
Publisher: Psychoneuroendocrinology
Title: Mindfulness Improves Emotional Regulation and Reduces Stress in Psychological Responses
Author: Philippot, P., et al.
Date: 2017
Publisher: Frontiers in Psychology
Title: Effects of Mindfulness on Immune System Markers
Author: Creswell, J. D., et al.
Date: 2015
Publisher: Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
Title: Mindfulness and Pro-inflammatory Cytokines: A Study of Immune Health
Author: Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., et al.
Date: 2014
Publisher: Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Title: Mindfulness Practices Increase Prefrontal Cortex Thickness
Author: Hölzel, B. K., et al.
Date: 2012
Publisher: The Journal of Neuroscience
Title: Mindfulness Promotes Brain Plasticity and Cognitive Function
Author: Tang, Y.-Y., et al.
Date: 2016
Publisher: NeuroImage
Title: Mindfulness Practices and Cardiovascular Health: Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Reduction
Author: Levine, G. N., et al.
Date: 2018
Publisher: Circulation
Title: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients
Author: Brown, K. W., et al.
Date: 2019
Publisher: Hypertension
Title: Mindfulness Increases Serotonin Production for Mood Regulation
Author: Berger, B., et al.
Date: 2015
Publisher: Behavioural Brain Research
Title: Mindfulness-Based Interventions Elevate Dopamine Levels: Effects on Anxiety and Satisfaction
Author: Johnson, D. C., et al.
Date: 2018
Publisher: Frontiers in Psychology
